SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONS AMONG GAMERS IN THE COMMUNITY OF CALL OF DUTY MOBILE ZOMBIESKY E-SPORT (A STUDY OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION)

Abstract

ZombieSKY E’Sport Community is one of online game community in Call of Duty Mobile where interaction inside the community that was only done online can form a trust that often cannot be formed from people who met and know each other directly in the real world. This research was conducted to determine how symbolic interaction between gamers in this community to negotiate meaning so as to form members' self-concept related to trust in friendship that originated from online games meeting. This study used qualitative research method and George H. Mead's symbolic interaction theory regarding mind, self and society. Data collection was carried out by observation, interviews and documentation. From this study, it was found that the interaction between members was built through non-formal interpersonal relationships. There are verbal and non-verbal exchanges of symbols that are carried out both in online meetings and in face-to-face meetings so that community members understand the same meaning between one another and have an understanding of the meaning. The results of the interactions that are built by community members greatly affect the self-concept of members who initially thought that friendship in online games was just ordinary friendship that discussed about games, to the assumption that friendships in online games could exist as well as friendship, brotherhood and kinship.